KINGSVILLE, Texas (Men's Basketball) – Texas A&M University-Kingsville (4-2) was downed by Southeastern Oklahoma State University (4-3, 0-2 GAC) on Saturday night to wrap up the Emerald Beach Thanksgiving Classic at the Gil E. Steinke Physical Education Center-Kingsville Hampton Inn Court.

Trey Sumpter led the team with 16 total points and was followed by Duan Wright who notched 12 points. Caelan Neal finished with eight points and six rebounds, marking the second consecutive game that a guard led the Javelinas in rebounding. Defensively, the Javelinas held the Storm to a shooting percentage of 37 and set a new season-high with nine total blocks led by Robert Stevenson who tallied four finger waves.  

TEAM LEADERS

Texas A&M-Kingsville
Points: Trey Sumpter, 16
Rebounds: Caelan Neal, 6
Assists: Robert Christian, 4
Steals: Marcus Frazier, 2
Blocks: Robert Stevenson, 4

Southeastern Oklahoma State
Points: Nathan Jackson, 17
Rebounds: Nathan Jackson, 9
Assists: Jett Jobe, 5
Steals: Nathan Jackson, 4
Blocks: Two players with one block

1st Half
The Storm opened the game raining threes including two from Kevin Buckingham to put the visiting team ahead 13-8. Duan Wright stepped up for the Javelinas and scored the next seven points to help trim the deficit 17-15. Later in the half, Wright showed up again as he followed Sumpter's three-pointer with one of his own to tie the game at 25 with 5:50 left before halftime. After exchanging a few baskets, both team entered the break with the score tied at 32. Wright led all scorers with ten points followed by Sumpter and Neal who both had seven points. 

2nd Half
The final frame was pretty slow until late in the half when Trey Sumpter tied the game at 59 after connecting on his third triple of the game with 2:41 left to play. Both teams remained idle for a while until Nathan Jackson converted on a three-point play to give SOSU a 62-59 lead with only 33 tics left. The Hogs had two attempts at a three, but came up short on both and ultimately fell to the Savage Storm 64-59. In the second half alone, Sumpter scored nine points followed by Derrick Byrd who went 3-of-3 from the floor to accumulate seven points.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Both clubs shot 37% from the floor. TAMUK shot 26% from three while SOSU shot 42.9%.
• Although both teams were even on the offensive boards, the difference came on the defensive glass as the the Storm won the battle 28-22 and overall 41-35.
• The Hogs a season high of nine blocks.
• For the first time this season, the Hogs were outscored 15-14 from bench players.
• Both teams had three made three-point field goals in the game.
• SOSU outscored TAMUK in the paint (28-26), off of turnovers (15-12) and in second chance points (12-9).
• In the second half, both teams had seven turnovers but SOSU scored six points off of them verses only one point for TAMUK.
• After a big first half, Wright was held to two points in the second half.
• Robert Stevenson recorded a career-high with four blocks. 

Estelle's Corner

When asked about:

…biggest takeaway from the weekend.…

"The biggest thing I came away with this weekend is that our team has fight and won't quit. We scheduled a difficult schedule in order to evaluate our team early and to truly see what our weaknesses and strengths are as a team. These games, even though they are losses, will make us better."

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Texas A&M-Kingsville 59, Southeastern Oklahoma State 64
Records: Texas A&M-Kingsville (4-2), Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-3, 0-2 GAC)
Series: Texas A&M-Kingsville are 9-7 against Southeastern Oklahoma State
Location: The SPEC Kingsville, Texas
Time of Game: 6 p.m.

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